Liz reached this conclusion and managed to escape the thoughts that had been tormenting her for the past few days.
Monica informed Liz of their mother’s testament just as Liz had regained a sense of peace in her heart.
“Please come down to the living room for a moment.”
Liz descended to the lower floor. Lilia, who had already arrived, greeted her sister with a brief smile. However, the smile disappeared as quickly as it had appeared the moment Liz turned her head.
Their mother sat before the two daughters in her silk crepe de Chine loungewear, waving a sealed letter that had been opened.
“Duke Montaner has sent an invitation.”
“My goodness! How kind of His Grace. He wasn’t just paying lip service last time when he said he would invite us.”
Lilia clapped her hands in admiration. Meanwhile, Liz discreetly looked around the living room. Kain stood there, his face calm.
“Well, he’s to become the next Emperor; he wouldn’t make empty promises. What did he add in the postscript?”
“What did he write?”
“He apologizes for not inviting us to the Imperial Palace, stating he’s not yet its master.”
“How humble of him.”
Once again, Lilia expressed her admiration, and Liz took another look at Kain. His tranquil eyes met hers.
‘You don’t need to worry; it’s okay.’
It seemed like he was saying that. Liz felt reassured, at least for now.
“What’s the date of the invitation?”
“Today.”
Liz’s eyes widened at her mother’s response.
“So soon?”
“He tends to be a bit spontaneous.”
While her mother found this quite romantic, Liz had a different thought.
‘Why does he do as he pleases? He’s just like his nephew in that regard.’
“We still have time to prepare since it’s for tonight. Monica! Mirabel!”
Mother called for the two maids to tend to Liz and Lilia’s dressing.
Liz wanted Mirabel to handle her makeover. Mirabel seemed hesitant, as if she also wished to tend to Liz, but Monica swooped in and nabbed Liz first.
“Miss, let’s go to the bath first. I’ve already prepared the water, knowing this would happen.”
Liz did not want to take a bath. She simply wanted to tie her hair back and go without any makeup.
“It’s fine, let Lilia go.”
“No, we can’t do that.”
Lilia waved her hand.
“Today is a day for you, sister. You should look your most beautiful.”
Then she directed Monica.
“Add lots of petals. Deep red rose petals. And drop in some aromatic oil.”
“Yes, Miss.”
For some reason, Liz found this obedience and directive irksome.
‘Now that I am Monica’s owner, I should be the one giving orders.’
The reason Liz couldn’t sharply say this was because of Mirabel.
Lest the arrow she aimed turn back on Mirabel, whom she cherished.
Suppressing her discomfort, Liz went upstairs.
A densely packed residential area not far from the royal palace. A three-story stone building situated at the edge of it.
The building, made of gray granite, was modern, neat, and well-maintained, with manicured trees and a quaint pond; the sound of water dripping from a water wheel created an atmospheric setting, yet… it was altogether too small.
‘What? It’s not much different from our house.’
Gazing at Duke Montaner’s residence from outside the carriage, Liz thought.
Having had no expectations, there was no disappointment, but she did find it a bit strange.
Why live in such a modest mansion while holding an imperial regency?
But upon reflection, she didn’t know if it was precisely because he was a regent that he could afford to live in such a house.
The palace is his home, and he probably believed it would always be, so there was no need for another mansion.
So this place was more like a storage or a vacation home.
As the carriage arrived at the entrance, the Duke himself came to greet them, grasping each of their hands.
“I can’t express how pleased I am that you’ve accepted my sudden invitation.”
“Oh, we are equally grateful for your invitation and don’t know what to do with ourselves.”
Mother and the Duke exchanged pleasantries.
Then Mother cast a quick glance at the exterior of the house, and Duke Montaner spoke a bit awkwardly.
“I sincerely apologize for inviting you to such a humble place. As I mentioned, the palace is my workplace, so it is not appropriate to invite private guests there. Please understand.”
“Your Majesty certainly distinguishes between public and private matters. Truly, you are fit to be the next ruler.”
Mother did not deny that it was a ‘humble place.’
“Please, come inside.”
The Duke guided the three of them in.
Liz couldn’t be happier that the Duke was holding her mother’s hand and not hers. Liz and Lilia were guided by a butler.
With innocent and curious eyes, Lilia looked around the house. The interior had surprisingly quaint corners that caught Lilia’s interest. Seeing her grow more fond of the house and the Duke, Liz was dumbfounded.
For the protagonist who had never interacted with the female lead, the Duke was nothing more than the next emperor, a remarkable man, a person whose shoelaces were glorious to even touch!
The meal unfolded in a tranquil atmosphere.
Amidst the faint melodies provided by the musicians filling the hall, servants continuously brought out new dishes onto the rectangular dining table.
Each dish was deliciously prepared from rare ingredients.
Mother and the Duke clinked their wine glasses several times, engrossed in conversations about their youth. Mother, having become a bit tipsy, seemed to have forgotten about her daughter’s upcoming marriage.
How wonderful it would be if she could forget forever.
Suddenly, the Duke, who had averted his gaze from Mother, suggested to Liz.
“Your Highness, if it wouldn’t be impolite, I’d like to give you a tour of the house, would that be alright?”
“……Just me?”
“Yes.”
‘So, the time has come.’
Cold sweat began to form on her palm, but she didn’t let it show on her face.
When Liz lightly nodded her head in agreement, he took the opportunity to excuse himself from the people he was seated with.
“I will excuse myself for a moment. Cler, and Lady Lilia.”
Although her tipsy mother grabbed hold of the Duke’s lapel, he gently shook her off.
As the soft music that had been filling the air came to an end and the musicians adjusted their strings for the next piece, the Duke extended his hand toward Liz.
Liz looked at his hand, and after a moment… finally placed hers on top of it.
As the two of them left the hall, the slow and deep cello melody followed them like a ghost.
Male lead Asks for a Divorce Every Day
It’s not often you come across a plot like this in the female-dominant genre — make sure to check it out!
This is a novel I’m planning to reread as well.
The male lead is strong, skilled in martial arts, and not the usual fragile type you often see in matriarchal novels.
Meanwhile, the female lead is a scientist—rational and logical. Even when she falls for the male lead, she doesn’t let her emotions cloud her decisions.
If you push through the first few chapters, you’ll gradually find the story really intriguing.
It has a mix of mystery, detective elements, and romance.
The author’s writing style is like crafting a puzzle—except they deliberately leave out a few pieces, making it hard to predict what happens next, yet keeping you hooked.
In the end, everything will come together and be explained.
One-sentence summary: Wife, stop playing with beakers and look at me!
In a laboratory accident, research scientist Zhu Wansheng accidentally travels to a matriarchal world. The original owner of the body is an eighteen-year-old only daughter of a wealthy rouge merchant, already married with a handsome young man.
Zhu Wansheng grins: Nice! She always said she was heaven’s favorite granddaughter. After a life of toil in her previous life, she can enjoy blessings in this one.
However, her joy lasts no more than three seconds as bad news arrives: the original owner’s family is about to go bankrupt, and her husband wants a divorce.
Even worse, she’s stuck with a research system full of restrictions.
Zhu Wansheng: ? Is this the destiny of a research dog?
——
Faced with this mess, Zhu Wansheng pours herself a bowl of wine to drown her sorrows. In her drunken haze, her husband arrives.
His figure is imposing, holding a long sword, with a dignified air that captivates Zhu Wansheng.
Gu Yingqing, however, looks at the alcohol-reeking Zhu Wansheng with undisguised disgust and coldly asks, “Divorce or not?” The intoxicated Zhu Wansheng mumbles vaguely, “I think… it’s not… it’s not… impossible!”
——
The next day, after sobering up, Zhu Wansheng is full of energy, rolling up her sleeves ready to make a big move. As for yesterday? She has no memory of it.
Zhu Wansheng is ambitious; a research dog fears nothing!
Upgrading rouge, extracting fragrances, producing perfumes, researching lipsticks… all shall bow to the power of modern technology!
The original owner’s dying rouge shop is revitalized. Her mother is pleased and with a wave of her hand, passes on the family business to her. As she takes control and her experimental results gain popularity, it’s the pinnacle of her life…
——
But there are always those who can’t stand to see her doing well. Jealousy, scheming, assassination attempts – they want nothing less than her life.
The person who has always kept his distance from her suddenly holds her tightly in his arms, eyes full of concern.
She is unharmed, but he falls into a pool of blood…
Zhu Wansheng feels guilty, “I can grant you one wish.”
Gu Yingqing tentatively circles his arms around her, carefully resting his head in the crook of her neck, pleading softly, “I regret it. Can we not divorce?”
Zhu Wansheng: ? When did I agree to a divorce?
[Small Theater]
The newly developed rouge is beautifully packaged, and Zhu Wansheng is eager to try it.
Gu Yingqing suddenly appears: “My lady, may I apply it for you?”
Cool fingertips lightly brush her lips. His Adam’s apple bobs as he leans in for a light bite.
Zhu Wansheng: ?
Gu Yingqing: It smells so good, I wanted to taste it…
On a warm spring day, Zhu Wansheng tries a new perfume: “Spring Night.” Gu Yingqing corners her against a wall.
Warm breath lingers on her neck.
“My lady, from now on, may I test the fragrances for you?”
[Humorous female scientist vs scheming live-in son-in-law male lead]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
